The Canada Global Talent Stream (GTS) represents a pivotal initiative introduced in June 2017, established through a collaborative effort between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
This program serves as a strategic tool to assist select Canadian employers in sourcing highly skilled talent from around the world, thereby bolstering their ability to compete on a global scale. By expediting the process of hiring foreign nationals under the Global Skills Strategy, the GTS aims to enhance Canada's competitiveness in key sectors and industries.
Definition and Purpose: The Global Talent Stream operates as an integral segment within Canada’s broader Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Its primary objective is to streamline the work permit application process for specific Canadian employers, allowing them to tap into a pool of highly skilled international talent. This stream is particularly beneficial for industries facing skills shortages or seeking niche expertise not readily available within the domestic labor market.
Program Structure and Categories: The GTS comprises two distinct categories: Category A and Category B. Each category serves the unique needs and requirements of participating employers.
Processing Fee: To apply for the Global Talent Stream, employers are required to pay a processing fee of CAD 1000. This fee helps cover administrative costs associated with processing applications and managing the program.
Business Legitimacy: As part of the application process, employers must demonstrate the legitimacy of their business operations. This involves providing documentation to verify the existence and legal standing of the company.
Labour Market Benefits Plan: Employers applying to the GTS are mandated to collaborate with ESDC to develop a comprehensive Labour Market Benefits Plan. This plan outlines the specific measures and initiatives the employer will undertake to contribute positively to the Canadian labor market. It aims to ensure that the employment of foreign nationals under the GTS will result in tangible benefits for the local workforce and economy.
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): As a prerequisite for participating in the Global Talent Stream, employers must obtain a positive LMIA. This assessment evaluates the potential impact of hiring a foreign national on the Canadian labor market, ensuring that the employment of foreign workers will not adversely affect job opportunities or wages for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Category A:
To apply for Category A of the Global Talent Stream, employers must receive a referral from one of the program’s designated partners. These partners include various government agencies and organizations with expertise in fostering innovation and economic growth. Employers intending to utilize Category A must aim to recruit individuals with exceptional and specialized skills. Here’s the list of designated partners authorized to refer employers to Category A:
As of May 10, 2022, these are the designated partners. To qualify as unique and specialized talent for Category A, individuals must demonstrate advanced industry knowledge, possess advanced education, and have at least five years of specialized experience in their field. Additionally, individuals categorized as unique and specialized talent are typically compensated with an annual salary of no less than CAD 80,000
Category A:
To qualify for Category B of the Global Talent Stream, employers must intend to recruit highly skilled foreign talent for positions listed in the Global Talent Occupations List. This list includes occupations with corresponding National Occupations Classification (NOC) codes:
20012: Computer and information systems managers
21300: Civil engineers
21310: Electrical and electronics engineers
21330: Mining engineers
21390: Aerospace engineers
21311: Computer engineers (excluding software engineers and designers)
Subset of 21210*: Mathematicians and statisticians (*excluding positions for actuaries or related occupations)
21211: Data scientists
21220: Cybersecurity specialists
21221: Business system specialists
21222: Information systems specialists
21233: Web designers
21223: Database analysts and data administrators
21231: Software engineers and designers
21211: Data scientists Software engineers and designers
21230: Computer systems developers and programmers
21232: Software developers and programmers
21234: Web developers and programmers: These occupations fall under the category of computer programmers and interactive media developers.
21233: Web designers
21234: Web developers and programmers: These occupations are categorized as web designers and developers.
22310: Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
22220: Computer network technicians: Also known as Computer network and web technicians in NOC 2021.
22222: Information systems testing technicians
Sub-set of 51120: Producer, technical, creative, and artistic director and project manager in Visual effects and video game industry.
Sub-set of 52120: Digital media designers.
It’s important to note that talent must meet both the occupation requirements and the minimum wage requirement to be eligible for consideration.
The application process for a work permit through the Global Talent Stream involves two main steps.
Firstly, eligible candidates under the GTS must obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This responsibility lies with the employer, who must initiate and cover the costs associated with the LMIA process. The application can be handled either by the employer directly or through a third-party representative.
Once a positive LMIA is secured, the employee can proceed to apply for a Canadian work permit.
The specific documents required will vary depending on individual circumstances. To streamline the application process, you or your employer may opt to engage the services of a reputable Canadian immigration attorney.
A significant advantage of the Global Talent Stream is its accelerated work permit processing time. Candidates under the Global Talent Stream may have their permits processed in less than two weeks.
Prior to submitting a work permit application, employers under the Global Talent Stream must first obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This step is also expedited, with an average processing time of just 8 days.
For candidates intending to work in Quebec, an additional application for a Québec Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ) is necessary. However, this process is also expedited for Global Talent Stream candidates.
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